Tricks in the Symmetrical English – 5. a3

The Symmetrical English may seem like a relatively straightforward opening, but it actually contains a lot of little tricks and nuances! In this video GM Eugene Perelshteyn exhibits how to deal with 5. a3, delaying e5 so as not to weaken the d6 square.

He also reviews some key strategic concepts. Most importantly, remember that the plan is to play d6, e5, a5 (to stop b4), and eventually Nge7 and d5.